ALVECHURCH Parish Church's new annex will be officially opened by the Bishop of Worcester on Saturday.

The Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby will formally open the £1m Ark in a ceremony at 11.30am.

The new building, called The Ark because of its boat-like shape, includes a large hall able to accommodate 100 people for a sit-down meal, a fully-fitted catering kitchen, toilets, upstairs meeting room and office and disabled facilities.

It is used for the church's youngsters, with youth groups meeting three nights a week and a Sunday School.

A new young people's Sunday evening service, called Engage, was launched at the building at the beginning of the year, using modern technology, big-screen projections and live bands.

The Ark is also home to a cafe every Thursday lunchtime and provides a space for baptism parties and funeral wakes, as well as birthday parties, concerts and art and ceramic exhibitions.

The Rev David Martin said: "The building is proving very versatile.

''It is standing up to the hard wear the young people give it while also providing a wonderful ambience for social events and concerts.

''I am delighted it is being well used by the community."

The architect was Michael Reardon Associates and The Ark was built by EW Beard of Oxford.

Former chairman of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, Prof Andor Gomme, said: "A few years ago, when I was helping to guide architectural historians about Worcestershire, we could scarcely find a single building of the last hundred years which we thought worth a visit.

"Now at last there is something that the county can be really proud of.

''The Alvechurch Ark is a triumph."